The Fife & Drum The official publication of the The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina A 501(c)(3) Non-profit Corporation From the President Reading Broadly & Learning Deeply At our annual Yorktown Banquet in October, Professor Hugh Dussek took us for a tour in the backcountry of events that led to the British surrender at Yorktown. Many of us were informed by Hugh s presentation. Some of us were even honest enough to admit having learned new information. Hopefully, membership in the Sons is a catalyst for going deep when it comes to our nation s history and the price once paid for our democratic form of government. In the New Year, I want to continue the encouragement to read broadly and to learn deeply about the patriotic history that binds us together as Sons. Even if you do not know much about your Revolutionary ancestor, reading about other patriots will increase your appreciation for and indebtedness to all Revolutionary War patriots. One of our members claims a patriot who served as a drummer boy, perhaps 12 or 13 years of age; yet, that young man served; he put himself at risk; his contribution of mustering the troops is incalculable. Telling the story and the history of one s patriot to one s family is an important way to keep alive both the history and the spirit of gratitude that comes with being an American. Despite the painful conflict occurring now at our southern border due to those who seek entrance to the United States, their desire and their dream is a vivid reminder that there is something enviable about being an American citizen. Then, on Saturday, March 2, the learning continues. The SRNC will be convened in Winston-Salem at The Graylyn Estate (http://www.graylyn.com) for George Washington s Birthday Banquet. Our speaker will be a representative from Old Salem Museum who will tell us, in part, about Washington s 1791 tour of the Southern states. A 10:30 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting will precede a time of patriotic fellowship (cash bar) and the buffet luncheon/program. By having the Washington Birthday Banquet in Winston- Salem, the desire is to grow SRNC s representation in the Triad area. Please do your part by expressing your invitation to others to attend the banquet. Finally, please take note of the calendar of events included in this issue of The Fife & Drum, noting especially the June 15, 2019, luncheon date of the Annual Meeting at The Holly Inn in Pinehurst. With gratitude for the heritage we have received and have necessity to honor by passing on to the next generation, I am, Sincerely yours, Augustus E. Succop III Upcoming Events George Washington s Birthday Celebration Saturday, March 2 The Graylyn Estate Please plan on joining us in Winston-Salem, NC for a meeting and luncheon banquet to honor our most revered founding father, George Washington, where the SRNC will welcome Johanna Metzgar Brown as the keynote speaker. The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina Page 1
Johanna Metzgar Brown is the Curator of Moravian Decorative Arts at Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Winston-Salem, NC. She has a BA in American Studies and Anthropology from Salem College and an MA in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program, Cooperstown, NY. Writing for a variety of publications, including Ceramics in America, The Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts, The Magazine Antiques, and others, she works also with the collections at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA). Program: George Washington s Southern Tour, 1791 In addition to telling us of her current work with the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) and current exhibits at Old Salem, she will inform us of Gen. Washington s 1791 Southern tour that commenced on April 9, 1791, a tour that took Washington to three states he had never visited: North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. After stops in NC, SC and GA, the General returned to NC and, specifically, Salem, where he was met by Gov. Alexander Martin. Together, they visited the battlefield at Guilford Courthouse before heading north and returning to Mt. Vernon. The cost of the luncheon is $50 in advance/$55 at the door. Reservations may be made on the state website (www.nc-sor.org) via the PayPal account. You may send your check to our Treasurer, Glenn Davis (1812 Sarazen Place, Raleigh 27615). Stay for the day or for the night (like George did!) and enjoy the history and beauty of Old Salem, Wake Forest University, Salem College, downtown Winston and the burgeoning Innovation Quarter, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Graylyn Estate, Yadkin Valley Vineyard area (an American Viticultural Area with 36 + wineries!) and many other popular cultural and historical amenities. _ Memorial Day Remembrance The American Soldier Through the Ages May 25-26, 2019 Each year on the Memorial weekend, the Bennett Place NC State Historical Site holds a Memorial Remembrance to honor the American Soldier through the ages. Following the American Civil War, a Decoration Day began in communities across America remembering soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Senator John A. Logan, a former Union officer, was instrumental in making this a formal national day honoring our fallen soldiers, which became Memorial Day. We join military living historians representing the American soldier of all time periods throughout our nation s history. The program is Saturday from 10am- 4pm, and Sunday 10am-3pm. Each year the SRNC hosts a Sons of the Revolution recruiting booth at the entrance to the event. It s also in the shade and out of the rain, but that s beside the point. The event draws over a thousand visitors from all over. The day s celebration begins with a 10:30 a.m. Board Meeting followed by a time of patriotic fellowship (cash bar) which will lead to the 12:15 p.m. buffet luncheon, program and brief business meeting. Express your invitation to spouse, friend and prospective member. Let s celebrate the General s birthday with a spirited Huzzah! The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina Page 2
Our display draws the crowd and if they have small children we offer the parents a Tootsie Roll Pop to give to their children. This gets them to stay longer and be friendly. While we are discussing the display, we ask if they had a relative in the Revolutionary War. If they say yes we ask for their contact information and try to follow up to get them to join. If they are from out of state, we get the information to the correct state society. War. Then came the wreaths for all the branches of the US Military in the order of the services being created. Then wreaths were laid for the Medal of Honor recipients and prisoners of War. Raleigh National Cemetery contains hundreds of Union soldiers from the NC Civil War Battles. We also give short seminars on the soldiers of the Revolution which includes firing a volley. This is a fun two day event and helps to raise awareness of the Sons of the Revolution. Our booth got a lot of attention and our seminars drew a large crowd. Please plan to attend May 25 and 26 and join the fun. You do not have to be in a period dress. The event is from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday. We need volunteers to man the booth so that we can take shifts to work and give seminars. _ Past Events North Carolina Society At the end of the ceremony, the SRNC Color Guard fired a volley and performed Morn Arms as Taps were played. The volley was performed with period correct Flintlocks in spite of the rain. The Color Guard includes NC Color Guard Commander Scott Kennedy, Albert Hopping, Dan Hopping, Hollis Posey and Harley Walker. Board member Bill Jarrett was the photographer. The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina (SRNC) co-hosted the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Raleigh National Cemetery on December 15 th. The SRNC co-hosted this event with the Cleveland High School Junior ROTC led by LTC. Carol Redfield. Colonel Brent Orr was the speaker. 5,600 graves received wreaths which were placed by over 300 volunteers. The ceremony started promptly at noon with a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem. North Carolina President Emeritus, Daniel Hopping laid a wreath for all the soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War. Wreaths were also placed for all the Freemasons who served in all Wars of the US. Next was a wreath for the US soldiers of the Civil L to r, Harley Walker, Hollis Posey, Bill Jarrett, CG Commander Scott Kennedy, Albert Hopping and Dan Hopping 2018 Yorktown Luncheon The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina Page 3
The sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina (SRNC) held it s annual Yorktown Luncheon on October 27 th at the State Club in Raleigh, NC. We had a large crowd, great food and great fellowship. Our Program was on The Revolutionary War in the Backcountry by History Professor, Hugh Dussek, Ph.D. of Central Piedmont Community College. Our President Gus Succop, and Registrar John Harman welcomed six new members, four of whom represented three generations of the Tribble family. In 2018, our Society grew by ten percent and our goal is to double our size within five years. Professor Dussek, who is from England, gave a very informative and entertaining presentation on the war in the North Carolina back country with many new perspectives on the times. In the final stages of the American Revolutionary War, Patriots and Loyalists struggled over the backcountry of the Carolinas. The war in the backcountry during 1780 and 1781 played a key role between the campaigns in the north and Lord Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown. The presentation examines the issues and influences in the revolutionary backcountry, the participants, and the succession of skirmishes and battles that led Cornwallis to Yorktown. Our NC Color Guard Commander, Scott Kennedy, EdD. awarded Color Guard member Hollis Posey with the SRNC Liberty Medal for his service to the NC Color Guard. Our Color Guard is very active and we consider it to be the face of the SRNC since it is what most people see of our organization. It performs in about a dozen patriotic events each year and has a recruiting booth at a major NC State Historic Site each Memorial weekend. President Gus Succop presented Past President Dan Hopping with his Past President s medal. The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina Page 4
Color Guard Leads Christmas Parade The SRNC Color Guard worked with the NC SAR Color Guard to lead the Roanoke Rapids Christmas Parade. SAR Compatriots representing the Alamance Battleground, Col. Alexander Lillington, General George Washington, Halifax Resolves, Old North State and New Bern Chapters, along with the SR, faithfully represented our Patriot ancestors during this one and one half mile march.. Chapter News Gen. Wm. Lee Davidson Chapter, Charlotte On Dec. 22, the Gen. Wm. Lee Davidson Chapter held a Patriotic Social at Brio Restaurant in the SouthPark area of Charlotte. Members of the SAR and DAR added to the 23 attendees, all of whom toasted the season of Christmas with members and prospective members of the chapter. Two new members, Frank Highley, who has transferred from the SRVA, and Wells Van Pelt, were recognized along with their wives. Chapter officers, David Boggs (VP) and Gus Succop (Pres.) expressed greetings to the gathering on behalf of the SRNC. The SRNC Color Guard participates in this nearly two mile parade each year with the NC SAR. The SRNC riflemen lead the parade down the Main street of Roanoke Rapids with what looks like the entire population of the town lining the street. Ken Wilson of the Halifax SAR Chapter coordinates the participation in the Parade and we are proud to be able to assist. This was a cold day and the rain held off until we reached the end of the parade. Prior to the Parade we all met up at a BBQ restaurant and had a feast with good fellowship. We eat good on the road. Colonels Hinton & Polk Chapter The Colonels Hinton and Polk Chapter in Raleigh met on November 20, 2018, at the northern Raleigh restaurant Chow Pizza and Wings. After the introduction and welcome by President Frank Powell, the minutes from the last meeting were approved and a finance report was given. Under old business chapter members discussed our ongoing SR Shirt fundraiser along with our projects of identifying the Revolutionary War graves in the old Raleigh City Cemetery. We are still researching the 13 Colony marker on Hillsborough St. Reports were given on the Yorktown Luncheon on October 27 and the 2018 Triennial meeting. The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina Page 5
The evening s program was presented by Jan Thurman from the Raleigh City Cemetery. Our next meeting will be at Chow Pizza and Wings on February 19, 2019. The Colonels Hinton and Polk Chapter is making Sons of the Revolution Shirts available to the SRNC membership. The order form is included with this Newsletter. Once you fill out the order, send it to Bill Jarrett at the address on the form with your check. You can pick up the shirts at the next meeting. There will be a small shipping charge if you want it sent to you. Consider a Bequest to the Sons of the Revolution in North Carolina A bequest is one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to make a gift to the SRNC. Gifts of any size made through a bequest help ensure that the society receives valuable ongoing support that will benefit future generations far into the future. The SRNC is a 501(c)(3) Corporation and all donations and bequests are tax deductable. The shirts are high quality Port Authority polo and oxford shirts than can be ordered in several colors and sizes. The order form will accompany this newsletter. Donors can make a bequest by simply including a provision for the Society in their wills or trusts. Donors can choose to give the society a specific dollar amount, specific property, or a percentage of their estates. Your bequest is a gift to the future of the society and to the preservation of the story of our ancestors who fought to create this nation as well as to your own posterity. For more information about bequests, please contact our Treasurer, Glenn Davis or Dan Hopping.. Nov 11 Dec 2 Dec 15 2019 Jan 26 Feb 16 Feb 23 Feb 23 Mar 16 Apr 12 May 25-26 Upcoming events Veteran s Day Parade, Roanoke Rapids, NC Christmas Parade, Roanoke Rapids, NC Wreaths Across America, Raleigh, National Cemetery Cowen s Ford Anniversary Crossing the Dan George Washington Luncheon Moores Creek Anniversary Guildford Courthouse Halifax Resolves Memorial Weekend at Bennett Place NC Historic Site The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina Page 6
Jun 15 Aug 3 Oct 7 2019 Annual Meeting House in the Horseshoe OVTA Preamble from our By-Laws The Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina, Inc. has been chartered and organized to perpetuate the memory of the men who, in military, naval, or civil service, by their act or counsel, achieved American Independence. Please send the photos separate from the text rather than in-line with the text. Attach them to the note. I can rarely do anything with an imbedded image. Please send the article with SRNC Newsletter in the subject line. Articles are due by the Friday evening after the monthly board meeting. Please send submissions to Dan L. Hopping, at hopping@nextretailgroup.com Objectives of our Society are: To keep alive the spirit of patriotism To foster devotion toward the institutions of our country To encourage historical research in relation to the Revolution To preserve documents, relics and individual records of the Revolutionary period To promote the celebration of patriotic anniversaries To impress the importance of these subjects upon the rising generation Like us on Facebook Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina And receive periodical updates Our Facebook group is at 157 members Article submission Guidelines Font Arial Font size 11 Space before paragraph None Space after paragraph None Line spacing 1.0 Columns one Alignment left Images prefer.jpg Title Bold 12 point center Author 10 point center Please do not use a low resolution phone for the images. We will resize the images to fit the format. The Sons of the Revolution in the State of North Carolina Page 7